A 20-year-old lady featured in viral social media posts as a missing person following her abduction has dismissed the reports as false.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said in a statement Thursday evening that Clare Adindo Odhiambo presented herself at the DCI offices in Kibra earlier in the day to set the record straight about her whereabouts.
The DCI said Clare told detectives that despite her photo being used in the viral posts on TikTok, she wasn't the person referenced.
"Clare clarified that despite her photos being used, her name wasn't Naomi, as alleged by the author of the misinformation, and that she had neither been abducted nor arrested by police," DCI said.
Social media posts had claimed that Clare was among social media influencers who had been abducted for allegedly posting offensive messages on their accounts.
The posts alleged that she had been abducted in Ruaka, a township within Kiambu county on the outskirts of Nairobi.
The reports prompted emergence of the hashtag #freenaomi, which has been trending since Tuesday, with many social media users expressing concern over the state of security and citizen safety in the country.
The DCI said they are dedicated to investigating all allegations of such crimes thoroughly and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
"The DCI wishes to clarify further that abduction and/or kidnapping is a serious crime punishable by law and the DCI does not condone any form of abductions or kidnappings as these actions violate fundamental human rights and undermine the rule of law," the DCI said.
The police detectives said it's essential for the public to work together in reporting any suspicious activities to aid in the fight against crime and protect the rights of all citizens.
Police, who have been on the receiving end over the rising abductions have, however, denied any involvement.
In a statement on Thursday, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said there is no police station in the country that is currently holding any of the persons reported to have been abducted.
“For avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees,” he said.
Kanja urged Kenyans to refrain from sharing false information on social media, aimed at tarnishing the good name of the police.
“Whereas Kenya is a democratic country that guarantees freedom of expression, freedom not only comes with certain limitations but should at all times be exercised with utmost responsibility.
"We therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed, and unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the National Police Service.”
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) on Thursday put the number of those abducted this month alone at seven.
The commission said one of the missing persons has, however, since been found.
The remaining six who are still missing are said to have been abducted between December 17 and 25.
They are Steve Mbisi from Machakos, Billy Mwangi (Embu), Peter Muteti ( Nairobi), Bernard Kavuli (Nairobi), Gideon Kibet alias Kibet Bull (Nairobi) and Rony Kiplang'at (Kiambu).
